After more than three decades, South Korea has legally legalized the tattoo by non -medical professionals. On September 25, the National Assembly approved the long -awaited TattooistPassing with 195 votes in favor and 7 abstention on 202 legislators present.
The new law recognizes tattoos and permanent make -up as official “tattoo practices” and introduces a license system. Only those who pass a national exam and obtain certification will be authorized to work as professional tattoo artists. While the legislation expands legal access, it is also provided with restrictions: tattoo artists cannot perform tattooing and the minors of the ink without the consent of the parents remains strictly prohibited. Professionals must also complete the training in hygiene and safety and keep detailed registers of each procedure, including the type of coloring, quantity and positioning.
THE Tattooist It will be applied two years after its promulgation, with a period of grace up to two years for registration and temporary licenses.
The tattoo by non -medical workers had been criminalized by a 1992 Supreme Court sentence classified him as a “medical act”, punishable pursuant to the medical law. Critics, however, argued that the regulation was obsolete, since tattoos are mainly cosmetic and the vast majority of artists are not doctors. According to the Korea National Institute of Health, by 2021, over 13 million South Koreans had tattoos and over 300,000 people worked in the tattoo sector.
For tattoo artists, the passage of the bill was a historical victory. The Korea tattoo artist association declared, “Now we can be with dignity as professionals and contribute to the development of” k-tattoo “in a world-class sector.” Kim Do Yoon, head of the union of tattoo under the Korean federation of chemical, textiles and food workers, added, he added, “It seems to have been born again. Our goal is to be recognized as artists by safeguarding the value of our profession.”
The Ministry of Health and Wellness, led by Minister Jeong Eun Kyung, welcomed the decision, noting, noting “The tattoo by the non -medical staff has long been a reality. This act is the result of years of social debate and consent, creating a picture to ensure safety, protect consumer rights and legitimize professionals.”
However, the Korean Medical Association (KMA) raised objections, underlining that security supervision should remain under the medical authorities. The KMA said, “In order for the tattoo to be safe, education and management must be supervised by the medical community. We will continue to support this.”
Sources: AllkPop
